The Latest Headlines You Need To Know

With no end in sight to the partial government shutdown, and the possibility that 800,000 federal workers will miss another paycheck at the end of this week, the Trump Administration reported Monday that ‘unscheduled absences’ by TSA airport screeners hit 10 percent on Sunday, with that number jumping over the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, as security screeners continue to work without pay because of a battle between the President and Democrats in Congress over funding for a border wall. “TSA experienced a national rate of 10 percent of unscheduled absences compared to a 3.1 percent rate one year ago on the same weekday,” the Transportation Security Administration reported, again using the same language in a daily news release that “many employees are reporting that they are not able to report to work due to financial limitations.” The number of absent screeners had held around 6 percent much of last week, but the TSA reported the number of screeners not showing up for work as planned hit 7 percent on Friday, 8 percent on Saturday, and then 10 percent on Sunday. . @TSA says that 10 percent of its workforce had an 'unscheduled absence' Sunday, compared to just 3.1 percent on the same day last year; that means more than 3,000 TSA agents called off #GovernmentShutdown — Gabe Gutierrez (@gabegutierrez) January 21, 2019 The TSA said in a news release that ‘99.9 percent of passengers waited less than 30 minutes’ to go through airport screening on Sunday. But on Saturday, excessive sick calls by TSA airport screeners forced officials at Baltimore-Washington International Airport to use emergency plans to deal with the lack of airport screeners, closing a major security checkpoint early at the airport. That major checkpoint for Southwest Airlines flights wasn’t closed for just a few hours – but remained shut down on Sunday and Monday as well, because of a lack of security screeners. “It is important to clarify that it is not unusual for TSA and BWI Marshall to open or close one of our security checkpoints,” the airport said in a written statement. “This will have minimal, if any, impact on passengers and no impact on airport operations,” the BWI statement read. . @TSA in collaboration with airport authorities &amp; servicing airlines will be exercising a contingency plan at @BWI_Airport due to excessive callouts. Checkpoint A will be closing at 5:35pm. Passengers should arrive early for evening flights. Contact airport &amp; airlines for updates — TSA (@TSA) January 19, 2019 Earlier this month, press reports of airport screeners calling in sick because of the government shutdown – and the lack of pay for screeners – was denounced as ‘fake news’ by a top Department of Homeland Security spokesman, as well as the White House. Like other federal workers, TSA screeners have been coming to work since the partial government shutdown started on December 22; they were paid as scheduled on December 29, but missed a check on January 11, and a second check may not be paid on January 25.

A 9-year-old boy driving an all-terrain vehicle crashed over the weekend, killing a 58-year-old passenger in Osceola County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. >> Read more trending news Troopers said the boy was trying to avoid another ATV Saturday on 8 Mile Ranch Road when the vehicle he was operating hit a brim and overturned onto Laura Bizzell, of Avon Park. The boy suffered minor injuries, but Bizzell died, according to the FHP. The other ATV driver, Samuel Christmas, 53, suffered minor injuries. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

Two people were injured Sunday night after a police car struck them as they lay in a Florida roadway, apparently to watch the lunar eclipse, according to multiple reports. >> Read more trending news The incident happened just before midnight Sunday near the Apoxee Trail, a 2.5-mile nature trail in West Palm Beach, according to WPBF and city officials. A police officer was patrolling the trail Sunday in a Ford Explorer when he struck a man and a woman, both 24, while traveling 5 mph, WPEC and WPBF reported. At the time, the area was extremely dark, according to officials. Police told WPBF that investigators believe the pair was lying in the road to photograph and watch the super blood wolf moon lunar eclipse. They were taken to a hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, according to the news station. The officer who struck the pair, who was not identified, was placed on paid administrative leave as police investigate the incident, WPEC reported. Authorities continue to investigate.

Speaking at a commemoration of what would have been her father’s 90th birthday, Rev. Dr. Bernice King criticized the Trump administration Monday for misquoting her father’s works “to suit our own purposes.” >> Read more trending news King’s remarks were aimed at Trump’s border wall push and comments by Vice President Mike Pence, who during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, said: “One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King was ‘Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.” “You think of how he changed America. He inspired us to change through the legislative process to become a more perfect union,” Pence said on the show. “That’s exactly what President Trump is calling on the Congress to do. Come to the table in the spirit of good faith. We’ll secure our border, we’ll reopen the government and we’ll move our nation forward.” >> Reflecting on MLK: 'The baddest brother of the 20th century' On Monday, during remarks at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Bernice King said: “If we really want to make real the promises of democracy, now is the time on this King holiday to stop quoting King out of context and misquoting him to suit our own purposes.” The Ebenezer audience applauded warmly. Bernice King also called for action on problems facing the country, ranging from the partial government shutdown affecting federal workers’ livelihood to the resurgence of white supremacist ideologies and voter access problems. “We are in a state emergency because of our humanitarian crises, and it’s not at our southern border,” she said. “The concern for human welfare is being threatened.” “When prejudice and bigotry are emboldened…. when schools continue to be unsafe spaces because of impotent gun control laws…. this is a humanitarian crisis and we are in a state of emergency,” King said. >> Delta contributes grant funding to re-open MLK national park During remarks at the service, U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., called for reflection on King’s words, saying: “He often reminded us that what united us is far greater than what divides us.” The service came on the holiday weekend when the Martin Luther Jr. National Historical Park reopened to visitors after a closure due to the partial federal shutdown. The reopening was funded with the help of a $83,500 grant from Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines. Reopened for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend through the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, are the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where King was co-pastor, the home where Martin Luther King Jr. was born, the park’s visitor center and historic Fire Station No. 6. “We ought to be concerned that the cradle of the civil rights movement is also the capital of income inequality in this country today,” said Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

A man was hospitalized Sunday after a police chase ended with him jumping off an overpass, according to officials. >> Read more trending news The incident started around 5 p.m. Sunday near 176th Street and Canyon Road in Spanaway when Pierce County deputies tried to stop a car that they say was being driven recklessly. Officials said the driver fled and police began a pursuit. During that time, the driver hit at least one vehicle, authorities said. The chase continued in the eastbound lanes of State Route 512 and onto the northbound lanes of State Route 167, where authorities said the suspect got caught up in traffic. Officials said the driver struck cars on an overpass. His car became so damaged it would no longer run, so he got out of the vehicle and jumped off the overpass, authorities said. Police said the driver fell at least 75 feet to the brush-covered ground below, near Valley Avenue East. Officials found him with multiple broken bones and a collapsed lung. He was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, where he underwent surgery, authorities said. The other people whose cars were hit suffered minor injuries, according to officials. Authorities said the suspect will face charges including eluding authorities and eight counts of hit-and-run. ﻿The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.

Congress Moves On Foreclosures

Just over a week after President Obama laid out his plans to stem the rising tide of home foreclosures, the House is expected to approve one controversial part of that.

Today lawmakers will vote on a bill that would allow bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of a mortgage loan, both the interest rate and the principal that’s owed on a house.

That’s what is known as the “cram-down” provision, an idea that is hotly opposed by the mortgage industry, the banking industry and many Republicans.

“That’s a provision that would restrict the flow of capital into the mortgage market, it would increase the cost certainly going forward of obtaining a mortgage for anybody,” argues Republican Rep. Ed Royce of California.

Right now though, Republicans don’t have enough votes to stop a plan like this, which Mr. Obama last week argued is central to helping people stay in the homes, and not be tossed out by foreclosure proceedings.

“I just want everybody to understand, that’s the rule for investors who own two, three, and four homes. So it should be the rule for folks who just own one home, as an alternative to foreclosure,” said Obama to cheers in Arizona last week.

Like many issues that I will report on this year, this bill will get through the House today, meaning the real battle will be in the Senate.

One major lender is supporting the idea, but with a series of caveats, that’s Citigroup, which of course has received billions in federal aid.

The plan is part of a broader bill dealing with home foreclosures, H.R. 200, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. What follows is the text of that bill.

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This Act may be cited as the `Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2009′.

SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR RELIEF.

Section 109 of title 11, United States Code, is amended–

(1) by adding at the end of subsection (e) the following: `For purposes of this subsection, the computation of debts shall not include the secured or unsecured portions of–

`(1) debts secured by the debtor’s principal residence if the current value of such residence is less than the secured debt limit; or

`(2) debts secured or formerly secured by real property that was the debtor’s principal residence that was sold in foreclosure or that the debtor surrendered to the creditor if the current value of such real property is less than the secured debt limit.’, and

(2) by adding at the end of subsection (h) the following:

`(5) The requirements of paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case under chapter 13 with respect to a debtor who submits to the court a certification that the debtor has received notice that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor’s principal residence may commence a foreclosure on the debtor’s principal residence.’.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITING CLAIMS ARISING FROM VIOLATIONS OF THE TRUTH IN LENDING ACT.

Section 502(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended–

(1) in paragraph (8) by striking `or’ at the end,

(2) in paragraph (9) by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or’, and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`(10) the claim for a loan secured by a security interest in the debtor’s principal residence is subject to a remedy for rescission under the Truth in Lending Act notwithstanding the prior entry of a foreclosure judgment, except that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify, impair, or supersede any other right of the debtor.’.

SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO MODIFY CERTAIN MORTGAGES.

Section 1322 of title 11, United States Code, is amended–

(1) in subsection (b)–

(A) by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12),

(B) in paragraph (10) by striking `and’ at the end, and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:

`(11) notwithstanding paragraph (2) and otherwise applicable nonbankruptcy law, with respect to a claim for a loan originated before the effective date of this paragraph and secured by a security interest in the debtor’s principal residence that is the subject of a notice that a foreclosure may be commenced with respect to such loan, modify the rights of the holder of such claim (and the rights of the holder of any claim secured by a subordinate security interest in such residence)–

`(A) by providing for payment of the amount of the allowed secured claim as determined under section 506(a)(1);

`(B) if any applicable rate of interest is adjustable under the terms of such security interest by prohibiting, reducing, or delaying adjustments to such rate of interest applicable on and after the date of filing of the plan;

`(C) by modifying the terms and conditions of such loan–

`(i) to extend the repayment period for a period that is no longer than the longer of 40 years (reduced by the period for which such loan has been outstanding) or the remaining term of such loan, beginning on the date of the order for relief under this chapter; and

`(ii) to provide for the payment of interest accruing after the date of the order for relief under this chapter at a fixed annual rate equal to the currently applicable average prime offer rate as of the date of the order for relief under this chapter, corresponding to the repayment term determined under the preceding paragraph, as published by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council in its table entitled `Average Prime Offer Rates–Fixed’, plus a reasonable premium for risk; and

`(D) by providing for payments of such modified loan directly to the holder of the claim; and’, and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(g) A claim may be reduced under subsection (b)(11)(A) only on the condition that if the debtor sells the principal residence securing such claim, before receiving a discharge under this chapter and receives net proceeds from the sale of such residence, then the debtor agrees to pay to such holder–

`(1) if such residence is sold in the 1st year occurring after the effective date of the plan, 80 percent of the amount of the difference between the sales price and the amount of such claim (plus costs of sale and improvements), but not to exceed the amount of the allowed secured claim determined as if such claim had not been reduced under such subsection;

`(2) if such residence is sold in the 2d year occurring after the effective date of the plan, 60 percent of the amount of the difference between the sales price and the amount of such claim (plus costs of sale and improvements), but not to exceed the amount of the allowed secured claim determined as if such claim had not been reduced under such subsection;

`(3) if such residence is sold in the 3d year occurring after the effective date of the plan, 40 percent of the amount of the difference between the sales price and the amount of such claim (plus costs of sale and improvements), but not to exceed the amount of the allowed secured claim determined as if such claim had not been reduced under such subsection; and

`(4) if such residence is sold in the 4th year occurring after the effective date of the plan, 20 percent of the amount of the difference between the sales price and the amount of such claim (plus costs of sale and improvements), but not to exceed the amount of the allowed secured claim determined as if such claim had not been reduced under such subsection.

`(h) With respect to a claim of the kind described in subsection (b)(11), the plan may not contain a modification under the authority of subsection (b)(11)–

`(1) in a case commenced under this chapter after the expiration of the 15-day period beginning on the effective date of this subsection, unless–

`(A) the debtor certifies that the debtor attempted, not less than 15 days before the commencement of the case, to contact the holder of such claim (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such holder) regarding modification of the loan that is the subject of such claim; or

`(B) a foreclosure sale is scheduled to occur on a date in the 30-day period beginning on the date the case is commenced; and

`(2) in any other case pending under this chapter, unless the debtor certifies that the debtor attempted to contact the holder of such claim (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such holder) regarding modification of the loan that is the subject of such claim, before–

`(A) filing a plan under section 1321 that contains a modification under the authority of subsection (b)(11); or

`(B) modifying a plan under section 1323 or 1329 to contain a modification under the authority of subsection (b)(11).’.

SEC. 5. COMBATING EXCESSIVE FEES.

Section 1322(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended–

(1) in paragraph (1) by striking `and’ at the end,

(2) in paragraph (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon, and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`(3) the debtor, the debtor’s property, and property of the estate are not liable for a fee, cost, or charge that is incurred while the case is pending and arises from a debt that is secured by the debtor’s principal residence except to the extent that–

`(A) the holder of the claim for such debt files with the court (annually or, in order to permit filing consistent with clause (ii), at such more frequent periodicity as the court determines necessary) notice of such fee, cost, or charge before the earlier of–

`(i) 1 year after such fee, cost, or charge is incurred; or

`(ii) 60 days before the closing of the case; and

`(B) such fee, cost, or charge–

`(i) is lawful under applicable nonbankruptcy law, reasonable, and provided for in the applicable security agreement; and

`(ii) is secured by property the value of which is greater than the amount of such claim, including such fee, cost, or charge;

`(4) the failure of a party to give notice described in paragraph (3) shall be deemed a waiver of any claim for fees, costs, or charges described in paragraph (3) for all purposes, and any attempt to collect such fees, costs, or charges shall constitute a violation of section 524(a)(2) or, if the violation occurs before the date of discharge, of section 362(a); and

`(5) a plan may provide for the waiver of any prepayment penalty on a claim secured by the debtor’s principal residence.’.

SEC. 6. CONFIRMATION OF PLAN.

Section 1325(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended–

(1) in paragraph (8) by striking `and’ at the end,

(2) in paragraph (9) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon, and

(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

`(10) notwithstanding subclause (I) of paragraph (5)(B)(i), whenever the plan modifies a claim in accordance with section 1322(b)(11), the plan provides that the holder of such claim retain the lien until the later of–

`(A) the payment of such holder’s allowed secured claim; or

`(B) discharge under section 1328; and

`(11) whenever the plan modifies a claim in accordance with section 1322(b)(11), the court finds that such modification is in good faith and that the debtor did not obtain the extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit that gives rise to a modified claim by the debtor’s material misrepresentation, false pretenses, or actual fraud.’.

SEC. 7. DISCHARGE.

Section 1328 of title 11, United States Code, is amended–

(1) in subsection (a)–

(A) by inserting `(other than payments to holders of claims whose rights are modified under section 1322(b)(11))’ after `paid’, and

(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting `or, to the extent of the unpaid portion of an allowed secured claim, provided for in section 1322(b)(11)’ after `1322(b)(5)’, and

(2) in subsection (c)(1) by inserting `or, to the extent of the unpaid portion of an allowed secured claim, provided for in section 1322(b)(11)’ after `1322(b)(5)’.

SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to modify any obligation of the Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans Administration, or the Department of Agriculture under a contract that guarantees or insures the payment of any part of a loan secured by a security interest in a principal residence.

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

(a) Effective Date- Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Application of Amendments- The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to cases commenced under title 11 of the United States Code before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.